The suspect, Bharatha Muttukumar (35) from Tamil Nadu, is said to be working in a private firm in suburban Kotahena near Colombo.

The State-run Sunday Observer quoted police media spokesperson Priyantha Jayakody as saying the arrested man had been behaving in “a suspicious manner”, taking photographs opposite Temple Trees. “He was arrested at around 11 a.m. and was taken in for further questioning” Mr. Jayakody said.